'Idol' dreams began in Oliver Springs

Oliver Springs resident Janelle Arthur will be competing in “American Idol” on Wednesday and Thursday, during what the popular television show has dubbed its “Hollywood Week.”

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By Donna Smith/Staff

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Donna Smith/Staff

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 7:53 PM

By Donna Smith/Staff

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 7:53 PM

Oliver Springs resident Janelle Arthur will be competing in "American Idol" on Wednesday and Thursday, during what the popular television show has dubbed its "Hollywood Week."

This is the second consecutive year the 23-year-old has competed in the show that's made famous singers such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. But before she was in "American Idol," Janelle was at Dollywood and on the cover of The Oak Ridger's Intermission section in 1998.

In a June 26, 1998, article headlined "Living her dream at Dollywood," then 8-year-old Janelle told reporter Scott Powers and photographer Kelley Scott Walli about playing a young Dolly Parton in the show, "Paradise Road."

"It's fun," Janelle said. "There's lots of people here. I like performing and singing."

Said Paradise Road Stage Manager Clare Lewis of the young performer, "Janelle is doing great. She has a ton of talent. She is just a bundle of energy and cute as a button. She lights up the stage from the time she walks on stage until the time she walks off."

That talent and energy stayed with her into adulthood — and onto "American Idol."

"Last year, she made it all the way to the Las Vegas Round, which was about Top 60," her mother Judy said in a telephone interview. "This year she auditioned in Charlotte (N.C.) ... then if you make it through (the judges), they will give you the Golden Ticket for the Hollywood Week. This is her third season to audition."

Janelle is the only child of Judy and Gentle Dean Arthur, who live in Oliver Springs.

"When she was a baby, we knew right off the bat that she loved music ... it was soothing to her," Judy said. "She actually started singing as soon as she started talking."

Janelle attended Oliver Springs elementary school and middle schools, went to camp with Oak Ridge ShowKids, and auditioned at Dollywood, which led to her portrayal of an 8-year-old Parton. When she reached high school, she was homeschooled, a choice that her mother said was best for her as she continued her entertainment work.

Last summer, Janelle and others performed for military troops on the "American Idol" tour that traveled through the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.

When time allows, her mother said, Janelle has taken a number of Zumba fitness classes and has become a certified instructor. But mainly she's involved with her career.

Last week was "Hollywood Week" for the men's competition. Both sexes are competing for a spot in the Top 40 semifinalists — 20 women and 20 men, according to the Fox 43 website.

Page 2 of 2 - "First, they will face the judges and sing a cappella. ... Those who survive will then join forces with one another. ... Those who stand out will move onto the solo day, giving the remaining contestants one more chance to impress the judges and make the Top 40," officials state on the website.